Apple Already Approving App Updates for iOS 5 — Launch Next Month?

Although its public release isn’t scheduled until this fall, Apple has already begun approving apps for its upcoming iOS 5 software for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch — suggesting the firmware could launch as early as next month alongside the iPhone 5.

Last week, the popular Camera+ application was updated to version 2.2.3, and though its developers didn’t mention the iOS 5 software, the release notes did read:

Compatibility with that upcoming OS That Must Not Be Named.

However, the Mashable application, which was updated to version 1.5.4 yesterday, isn’t quite so subtle with its release notes — simply stating “iOS 5 compatibility.”

The approval of these updates could suggest that the public release of iOS 5 isn’t too far away, and could launch as early as next month alongside that much-anticipated iPhone 5. The iOS 5 beta is currently on its fourth release with developers, and while the software still suffers a number of minor issues that will need ironing out, there doesn’t seem to be anything major left for Apple to work on.